A Conversation With April Whitson, Global VP of HR, ABB

In this episode of The Failure Gap, Julie Williamson, Ph.D. speaks with April Whitson, VP of HR for ABB and author of The Stay Challenge. They discuss the critical role of leadership in shaping workplace culture, the challenges of employee retention, and the importance of effective one-on-one meetings. April emphasizes that culture is built at the team level and that leaders must prioritize engagement and alignment to create an irresistible workplace. They also explore the concept of regrettable retention and how it affects team dynamics, urging leaders to reflect on their purpose and the impact of their decisions on both individuals and the organization as a whole.

Takeaways

• Culture happens at a team level, not just top-down.
• Regrettable retention can be a bigger issue than unwanted turnover.
• Leaders often use time as an excuse for not prioritizing culture.
• Employee engagement is a shared responsibility between leaders and employees.
• Effective one-on-ones are crucial for understanding team dynamics.
• Leaders may hold onto underperforming employees out of hope.
• Regrettable retention negatively impacts overall team morale.
• Leaders need to articulate their purpose and values clearly.
• Building a culture that retains talent requires inspiration from leaders.
• Reflection on leadership purpose is essential for alignment.

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If you would like to connect with April Whitson outside of this episode, connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilwhitson/

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Learn more about Julie’s work and speaking engagements.